Prague Economic Papers 2012, 21(4):391-411 | DOI: 10.18267/j.pep.431

China and the Dollar: An Optimum Currency Area View

Chee-Heong Quah1, Patrick M. Crowley2
1 Faculty of Business and Accountancy, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia (quahch@um.edu.my).
2 College of Business, Texas A&M University, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA.

This paper attempts to assess how compatible China is with respect to its dollar-based exchange rate regime. Assessment is made in terms of the real convergence criteria suggested by the optimum currency areas (OCA) theory. In light of the endogenous problem in OCA analysis and this view of convergence criteria, the relevant features of China are evaluated against economies implementing rigid dollar standard in practice, namely Hong Kong, Macau, and Panama. Findings suggest that economic conditions in China broadly conform to those prevailing in these economies which maintain strong links to the US dollar.

Keywords: exchange rate, dollarization, China, optimum currency area, renminbi, Hong Kong, Macau, money
JEL classification: E62, F31, F32, F41, F42, O53

Published: January 1, 2012  Show citation

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Quah, C., & Crowley, P.M. (2012). China and the Dollar: An Optimum Currency Area View. Prague Economic Papers, 21(4), 391-411. doi: 10.18267/j.pep.431
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